What makes a great research poster? [Good and Bad Examples]
TLDRThis video script offers essential tips for creating an impactful research poster. It emphasizes the importance of a clear, uncluttered design with a logical flow, minimal text, and a focus on visual elements like graphs and schematics. The presenter advises against overuse of words and colors, suggesting the use of online tools for color selection and cautioning against reliance on university templates. The script also highlights the value of a simple, understandable title and conclusions, and mentions the 'better poster' concept by Mike Morrison, which advocates for a QR code for additional information and a clean, sparse layout.
Takeaways
- 🎯 A great research poster should attract attention for the right reasons and be easy to understand at a glance.
- 📢 At poster sessions, people often wander around aimlessly, so your poster needs to stand out and provide a clear path for them to follow.
- 📏 Maintain a simple and obvious flow with a column structure or similar layout to avoid over-complicating the poster.
- 🚫 Avoid cramming the poster with too many words; focus on figures, graphs, and schematics with minimal text for explanation.
- ✂️ Be ruthless in cutting down the text until you reach the bare essentials, ensuring the poster is not information-overloaded.
- 🏷️ Make the title and conclusions bold and easily readable to quickly convey the main points of the research.
- 🌈 Use color wisely, with no more than three colors, to make the poster visually appealing without being overwhelming.
- 🖌️ Consider using online tools like Coolors for color palette generation to streamline the design process.
- 📘 Avoid relying too heavily on university-provided templates, which may prioritize branding over effective communication of research.
- 🔍 Look for inspiration from well-designed posters online, such as those featured on 'Animate Your Science', to understand what makes a poster stand out.
- 📈 Embrace the 'better poster' concept proposed by Mike Morrison, which emphasizes clear communication and minimal text, possibly using QR codes for additional information.
Q & A
What is the primary purpose of a research poster at a conference?
-The primary purpose of a research poster is to attract attention and communicate research findings in a concise and visually appealing manner, providing a shortcut for attendees to quickly understand the research without being overwhelmed by information.
Why is it important for a poster to have an obvious flow?
-An obvious flow is important because it guides the viewer through the poster in a logical sequence, making it easier to understand and retain the information presented.
What is the common mistake made by students when creating research posters?
-A common mistake is cramming the poster full of words. Posters should primarily rely on figures, graphs, and schematics with minimal text for explanation, as people at poster sessions are less interested in reading large amounts of text.
How should text be minimized on a research poster?
-Text should be minimized by being ruthless and cutting down to the bare bones. The poster should convey information with figures and visuals, using text only for necessary explanations or highlights.
Why is it recommended to avoid using university-provided templates for research posters?
-University-provided templates often prioritize the institution's branding over effective communication of research. They may include too much text and not enough visual elements, which can make the poster less appealing and harder to understand quickly.
What role does the title of a research poster play in attracting viewers?
-The title plays a crucial role in attracting viewers as it should quickly convey the topic and interest of the research. It should be simple, clear, and easily readable from a distance.
How can color be effectively used in a research poster design?
-Color should be used sparingly, with no more than three colors to maintain visual clarity and focus. An online tool like Coolors can help generate a harmonious color palette for the poster.
What is the significance of including a QR code on a research poster?
-A QR code can provide additional information or resources related to the research, allowing viewers to access more detailed content easily without overwhelming the poster itself with excessive text or data.
What is the 'better poster' idea proposed by Mike Morrison and how does it differ from traditional poster designs?
-The 'better poster' idea by Mike Morrison emphasizes minimal text and maximal visual communication, with a focus on a single, large, eye-catching visual element and a QR code for further information. It differs from traditional designs by reducing text and prioritizing quick, easy understanding.
What advice is given for ensuring a poster is not too wordy?
-The advice given is to continually cut down on the words until only the most essential information remains. A good test for simplicity is to use speech-to-text functionality to see if the title can be easily recognized and understood when spoken aloud.
How can researchers find inspiration for effective poster design?
-Researchers can find inspiration by looking at examples from sources like 'Animate Your Science' and studying award-winning conference posters, which often demonstrate effective use of visuals, minimal text, and clear presentation of information.
Outlines
🎨 Creating an Attractive Research Poster
This paragraph discusses the importance of creating a research poster that stands out at conferences or university sessions. It emphasizes the need for a poster that is not just informative but also visually appealing. The speaker highlights that people often wander around poster sessions and may not engage with every poster, so it's crucial to make your poster eye-catching. The key elements of a great poster include a clear flow, minimal text, and a focus on figures, graphs, and schematics. The speaker also advises against using too many words and suggests being ruthless in cutting down text until only the essentials remain. Additionally, the title and conclusions should be easily readable and understandable at a glance. The speaker recommends using a limited color palette and avoiding overly complicated university templates.
🔍 Analyzing Effective Poster Designs
In this paragraph, the speaker critiques common poster designs found during research poster sessions, noting that many are overly text-heavy and overwhelming. The speaker suggests that effective posters should be primarily visual, with clear figures and graphs that convey information at a glance. They recommend using simple colors and avoiding excessive text. The speaker also mentions the importance of being able to read a poster from a distance, emphasizing the need for large, eye-catching visuals. They reference the work of 'Animate Your Science' as an example of excellent poster design and encourage viewers to check out their blog for more tips. Additionally, the speaker discusses a proposal by Mike Morrison for a new poster style that emphasizes communication and simplicity, featuring a QR code for additional information. The speaker laments that this style has not become widespread but hopes for a future where poster designs are more in line with Morrison's vision.
📚 Tips for Avoiding Common Poster Pitfalls
The final paragraph wraps up the discussion on creating effective research posters by summarizing key points and offering advice on avoiding common pitfalls. The speaker reiterates the importance of simplicity, clarity, and visual appeal in poster design. They caution against overcomplicating the title and conclusions and warn against adding too many words, which can confuse the message. The speaker also promotes the idea of using QR codes to provide additional information without cluttering the poster. They recommend checking out 'Academia Insider' for further resources, including an ebook on academic writing and a PhD survival guide. The speaker invites viewers to share their thoughts in the comments and encourages them to explore the mentioned resources for more insights on creating impactful research posters.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Research Poster
💡Poster Session
💡Flow
💡Figures
💡Schematic
💡Title
💡Color
💡Template
💡QR Code
💡Design Thinking
💡Better Poster
Highlights
A great research poster attracts attention for all the right reasons.
Understanding the dynamics of a poster session is crucial for effective presentation.
People often wander around poster sessions aimlessly, making it important to stand out.
Instead of just standing by your poster, make it engaging to draw people in.
A great poster should have an obvious flow, guiding viewers through the content.
Avoid over-complicating the poster with too much text; focus on figures, graphs, and schematics.
Be ruthless in cutting down words until you reach the bare bones of your message.
The title and conclusions should be easily readable and understandable at a glance.
Keep the title simple and avoid using complex or fancy words.
Use color strategically, with no more than three colors to avoid overwhelming the viewer.
Consider using an online tool like coolers to help select a harmonious color palette.
Avoid relying too heavily on university-provided templates, which may prioritize branding over clarity.
Observe the quintessential view of research posters to understand what stands out and what doesn't.
A poster that is mainly figures and graphs with a clear flow is more likely to attract attention.
Overuse of words can make a poster difficult to read from a distance, reducing its impact.
The best poster designs often feature large, eye-catching visuals with minimal text.
Check out 'Animate Your Science' for examples of award-winning conference poster designs.
Mike Morrison's 'Better Poster' idea emphasizes large, clear communication with a QR code for more information.
The 'Better Poster' layout places important information centrally with additional details on the sides.
QR codes can be used effectively on posters to provide additional information without cluttering the design.
Avoid the common pitfall of overloading the poster with too many words, which can detract from its clarity.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
Making a research poster in Microsoft PowerPoint
How to DESIGN an ACADEMIC POSTER in Microsoft PowerPoint
Scientific Poster Design - Good and Bad Examples! (Poster Tutorial Part 2)
How to make a scientific poster using Microsoft Powerpoint
Giving an Effective Poster Presentation
How to Make a Good Research Poster in Adobe Illustrator
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: